Just getting started

[ko31motoX]

I've been lurking for a month or so, and just now setup my account, etc. I'm going to start a build thread, but I'm really not sure how far I'll go. I read some of the threads, and it's pretty overwhelming. There is so much to do, so many ways, etc. Hopefully mine will be at least respectable.

I bought my first 4Runner when my wife and I were dating, it was a brand new 1994 SR5 that I couldn't afford at the time, but it was SWEET!:tongue:

22 years later, I bought my 16 year old a 1999 SR5 as his first ride. I think the 3rdGens are the coolest body style....this one has only 126k miles, and very clean body, paint, and interior. Motor runs great and all power options are functional. First pic is the day we bought it. Saw it on the internet, and it looked great. Pulled up, and saw the "dealership" and I was like, aw man, this thing is going to be a turd! Turns out we got a pretty good one...we think so far.

Right off, the shocks and tires need replacing (bought it knowing that but got a good deal). Bought Billstein 5100's and installed with the front set on the 2" ride height setting and added a 1.5" rear spring spacer. Also have a pic with just the "lift/level"...sorry, but it's a night time pic...at the gas station. Going forward I'll do a better job with the pics.

Next steps: remove the running boards, and trim around the wheel wells.
On order: Pro Comp 7069's 16x8, and Federal Couragia MT 285x75-16.

Things we want/need soon:
Weather Tech floormats
Stereo
Roof Cargo Rack

That's all for now. More to come.

 

[hrt4me]

looks goods!

 

[TheArkMaster]

Looks good. So is it a father son car or a sons car the father wants?

 

[downpour11]

Looks good. So is it a father son car or a sons car the father wants?

Car? :spy:

 

[bpowa]

how is the ride quality?

original springs correct?

 

[TheArkMaster]

Car? :spy:

Rig**

:hiding:

 

[Ol'Blue]

^^^^ I second the car. Where is a "CAR". I see a full frame on truck

:hiding:

 

[ko31motoX]

:naughty:

Looks good. So is it a father son car or a sons car the father wants?

Ohh, I don't knooww...

 

[ko31motoX]

how is the ride quality?

original springs correct?

Yes, original springs...i was told they should still be good, but it does float a little. As soon as I get my...err...HIS, wheels and tires, I'm going to have an alignment done, which will check out all of the front end parts: control arms, ball joints, tie rod ends. Once that is all done, I'll have a better feel if i need to do something with the springs.

 

[kernel.panik]

^^^^ I second the car. Where is a "CAR". I see a full frame on truck

:hiding:

I am pretty sure that he meant C.A.R.... "Cool Ass Rig"

 

[bpowa]

Yes, original springs...i was told they should still be good, but it does float a little. As soon as I get my...err...HIS, wheels and tires, I'm going to have an alignment done, which will check out all of the front end parts: control arms, ball joints, tie rod ends. Once that is all done, I'll have a better feel if i need to do something with the springs.

Thanks. I don't want that much lift. So if the oem springs work. I'd use them but since you are saying it floats. I will have to upgrade. Btw. You can check the suspension yourself or help with your son. Jack up the truck. Shake the wheels and see if it has play.

 

[TheArkMaster]

I am pretty sure that he meant C.A.R.... "Cool Ass Rig"

Obviously this is exactly what I meant. Gosh. I go "hip" on you guys for one second with acronyms and everybody freaks out at my. I don't want to live on this planet anymore. :lalala:

 

[ko31motoX]

Thanks. I don't want that much lift. So if the oem springs work. I'd use them but since you are saying it floats. I will have to upgrade. Btw. You can check the suspension yourself or help with your son. Jack up the truck. Shake the wheels and see if it has play.

Ya, I didn't want much lift either, so this is the route I went. I should mention that I have not done an alignment yet since the lift, and the camber is way out (+positive). I'm sure this is affecting the ride/handling. When I get the new wheels & tires on, I'll dothe alignment and give you an update.

 

[ko31motoX]

4wheelonline.com

Not sure if others have dealt with these guys, but i would say BUYER BEWARE...talked to a "sales rep" to make sure I was getting the right wheels for my truck, rather than just order them online and risk that I hadn't done my homework right. Well, we arrived at what he assured me were the right wheels; Pro Comp 7069-6883, 16x8, 6x5.5 lug spacing, -12 offset and 4" BS. Submitted my order, and then called another vendor to order my tires 285/75/16. Next morning, the wheel salesman calls me back and says he was wrong and the wheels won't fit after all. He said for my year/model, that TRD specially made the stock wheel to clear the sized rotors, and I would have to get a 17" wheel. Sounds wrong to me, but-?? Well, my tires are already on the way, and IF he's right, well then they do me no good. Paid 132 in shipping, and now I'll have to pay that again to return them. To make matters worse, the wheel salesman wouldn't give me any kind of break on the (higher) pricing for the 17" wheels. I went round and round with the guy. He insisted he wasn't wrong, he just found out "more info", and that I should be happy they didn't send me the wheels and have to pay to return them too. He was a DICK. Tried to get his supervisor on the phone 2 or 3 times. No luck. I ended up just cancelling my order. Checked them out on the BBB and other "referral" sites, and it seems they are a pretty shady outfit. Anybody else have any experience with them? As for my situation, I called Pro Comp, and they said they thought the wheels should fit. I'm taking my truck to a local retailer here in town today to get confirmation and I'll just order the wheels thru them. It'll cost a few bucks more but peace of mind doesn't always come free I guess.

 

[ko31motoX]

back on track...

OK. Got my wheels/tires dilemma solved. I ordered black 16x8 Level 8 Strike 6 and 285/75/16 Hankook Dynapro M/T. Just got them mounted, and alignment done. Had to replace outer tie rod ends. It is driving nice and straight now.....and it looks absolutely perfect. Just what i was after. The right height, offset, aggresive look, etc. The boy is pretty happy with it too, he can't wait to drive it to school tomorrow.

it's a rainy/foggy night here, so pics will follow tomorrow.

 

[ko31motoX]

OK. Got my wheels/tires dilemma solved. I ordered black 16x8 Level 8 Strike 6 and 285/75/16 Hankook Dynapro M/T. Just got them mounted, and alignment done. Had to replace outer tie rod ends. It is driving nice and straight now.....and it looks absolutely perfect. Just what i was after. The right height, offset, aggresive look, etc. The boy is pretty happy with it too, he can't wait to drive it to school tomorrow.

it's a rainy/foggy night here, so pics will follow tomorrow.

BTW - i ordered my stuff online from Discount Tires Direct. The salesman was knowledgeable, patient, and i got a good (package) deal. Mounted/balanced, lugs and center caps included. Showed up at my door ready to put on the truck. :bravo:

 

[Millerad1651]

Awesome. Post some pics up! I went through DTD as well. I bought wheels and tires for my truck, and tires for my wife's...the deal they made me pretty much made her tires free.

Plus you get lifetime balance and rotation free for the life of the tire. I've heard good things about those tires as well.

I've never heard of the other place, but I'll be sure to steer clear in the future.

 

[ko31motoX]

a little dirty

she's a little dirty, but thought i'd put a few up anyway. It's amazing to me how the truck has been transformed in just a few (initial) steps...obviously this is the biggest one:

 

[5vzT4R]

Looks so much better!!